Cairo – Monday, September 21, 2026
His Grace Bishop Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Episcopal Province of Alexandria, presided over the Holy Eucharist at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Heliopolis, where a confirmation service was held for 13 new members of the church, along with the licensing of a lay minister.
The service was attended by the Rev. Emad Basilos, Rector of the church; the Rev. Mark Taqi Sany, Academic Dean of the Episcopal School of Theology; and Deacon Matta. Also present were Bishop Mounir Hanna, President of the Christian-Islamic Center for Understanding and Partnership; Dr. Shady Anis, Dean of the Episcopal School of Theology; as well as a large number of church members and worshippers.
In his sermon, Archbishop Samy Fawzy reflected on the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, explaining that the owner of the vineyard went out himself to look for workers, even until the eleventh hour. He emphasized that this image reveals that it is God who goes out in search of people and calls them to enter His vineyard.
Bishop Samy Fawzy noted that the presence of the newly confirmed members before the church was not by coincidence, saying that it was God who had called them to serve. He explained that some people may receive God’s call from an early age, while others may encounter their calling midway through their journey, and others may feel that they have arrived at the “eleventh hour.” Yet, he emphasized, the truth is the same for everyone: it is the owner of the vineyard who went out to seek them and called them.
The Archbishop addressed the candidates for confirmation in particular, stressing that confirmation is not the end of the journey, but rather its beginning. He encouraged them to continue walking in faith and service. He also addressed those who had been members of the church for longer periods, emphasizing that years of service do not give a person greater entitlement than others. Everyone, he said, was “new” at some point, and all entered the vineyard by grace, not by merit.
Bishop Dr. Samy Fawzy concluded his message by highlighting four practices that sustain a believer’s spiritual life: daily prayer and continual conversation with God; regular reading of the Holy Scriptures; faithful participation in worship and receiving Holy Communion at the Lord’s Table; and serving both within and outside the church. He emphasized that these practices help believers remain steadfast in grace and serve with gratitude rather than complaint.
The Archbishop also prayed for the church and its people, as well as for the newly confirmed members, calling on everyone to experience the real presence of Christ in their daily lives and to allow God to be glorified through them before the world.
The Confirmation Service marks an individual’s formal affirmation of membership in the Episcopal Church. During the service, the new member makes a commitment before the bishop, the rector, and the congregation to deepen their study of God’s Word and to maintain a regular life of prayer.
Issued by
The Press Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Egypt
Episcopal Church of Egypt